Lessons Learned in 2014

It has been a year filled with blessings and many trials as well. Six months ago I wouldn’t have believed that I would be filled with such peace and joy in my heart, as my family was going through a very difficult time.

A time when our lives could change not for the better but for the worse. It was very difficult to pray without tears in my eyes or just flat out crying. My close friends and family were there for me. They were my rock, the ears that heard my trials and the shoulders I cried on many times.

Through it all I know my God, the saints in heaven, and Mother Mary were there with me, helping me carry my cross. But many times, I think, they were carrying me too.

Now I can look back and see why this happened in my life and why it happened to my family. At the time, all I could say to our Lord was “Let your will be done,” even if I don’t know what the future holds. And that can be very scary.

Thankfully I write this with a peaceful heart looking back at the lessons I learned. The most important one, I think, is not to lose faith even when you feel so alone that you think God isn’t there.

I know he is and was, because if he wasn’t it, I wouldn’t be as happy and at peace as I am now.

Also, when tough times come,and they do, instead of trying to change or fix others, I should always begin with myself.

Asking our Lord to show me how to be a better mother, wife, and person. In the end, I can only change my choices and my outlook.

Perhaps, God is using me to bring others closer to him. One thing is for sure: he wanted my family and I to make it through the tough times and show the world that it should be for better or worse.